Release Detail

October 18, 2001 - Terrorism Is Most Important Problem In U.S.,
New Jersey Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll;
Voters Are Mixed On Economic Outlook

Terrorism is the most important problem facing the U.S. today, most New Jersey voters say in a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, a total of 68 percent of voters give answers such as terrorism or security/safety or war.

A total of 10 percent list the economy or unemployment as the most important problem
facing the U.S., while 3 percent list education.

Looking at the most important problem facing New Jersey, a total of 20 percent of voters list terrorism or war or security, followed by 18 percent who list taxes, 13 percent who list the economy or jobs, and 10 percent who say education.

From October 10 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,140 New Jersey registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent.

"Terrorism: It's a brand new issue and it shoots to the top of the list among New Jersey voters. Our old favorite, auto insurance, is down to 8 percent," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"President Bush says the country is at war, and voter concerns reflect that feeling. They also continue in their 90 percent approval rating for the President."

The nation's economy is "not so good," 50 percent of New Jersey voters say, while 39
percent say it is "good;" 1 percent say it is "excellent," and 10 percent say it is poor.

Economic conditions in the U.S. will get better in the next 12 months, 44 percent of voters say, while 20 percent say they will get worse and 32 percent say conditions will be unchanged.

New Jersey's economy is "good," 54 percent of voters say, while 3 percent say it is
"excellent;" 37 percent say it is "not so good," and 5 percent say it is poor.

Economic conditions in New Jersey will get better in the next 12 months, 32 percent of
voters say, while 18 percent say they will get worse and 44 percent say conditions will be
unchanged.

Their personal finances are "good," 66 percent of New Jersey voters say, while 10 percent say they are "excellent;" 19 percent say they are "not so good," and 4 percent say they are "poor."

In the next 12 months, 35 percent of voters expect their personal financial condition to get better, while 8 percent say they will get worse and 54 percent say conditions will stay the same.

"New Jersey voters rate the state's economy higher than the nation. Looking into the
financial crystal ball, New Jersey has more optimists than pessimists, and a lot of people who just expect to tread water for the next year," Carroll said.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald DiFrancesco is handling
his job as acting Governor of New Jersey?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 60% 68% 52% 58% 61% 58%

Disapprove 14 13 16 14 16 13

DK/NA 26 19 32 27 23 29

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Torricelli is handling
his job as United States Senator?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 44% 37% 55% 41% 42% 45%

Disapprove 30 39 19 31 37 25

DK/NA 26 24 26 28 21 31

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job
as United States Senator?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 51% 41% 63% 52% 49% 53%

Disapprove 19 30 9 18 23 16

DK/NA 29 29 28 30 28 31

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling
his job as President?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 90% 98% 81% 91% 92% 88%

Disapprove 7 1 12 6 5 8

DK/NA 3 1 7 2 3 4

24. What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today?